It has been a recurring characteristic of client audio gear for the reason that first magic eye tube blinked into life, to have some sort of visualization of the sound being performed. Most just lately this has meant an LED array or an OLED display screen, however [Thomas] has gone one higher than this with a CRT tv transformed to carry out as a rudimentary oscilloscope.

The final technology of generally obtainable monochrome televisions have been small 5″ CRT fashions made in China. They by no means acquired digital tuners, in order digital TV has change into the norm they’re now ineffective to most individuals. Thus they’ll usually be discovered for pennies on the second-hand market.

[Thomas]’s hack includes gutting such a TV and retaining its circuitry, however disconnecting the road driver from the deflection yoke. This is able to usually depart a vertical line on the display screen as it will then be moved solely by the body driver at 50 Hz for PAL or 60 Hz for NTSC. By connecting an audio loudspeaker amplifier to the road deflection yoke he will get that low high quality oscilloscope. It will be of restricted use as an instrument, however few others could have such a cool audio visualizer. He’s viewing the display screen in a portrait orientation, we’d be tempted to rotate the yoke for a panorama view.

It’s value mentioning as all the time that CRT TVs include excessive voltages, so we’d recommend studying up on the right way to deal with them with respect.